Laguna Niguel students meet Kenyan educator

Nov. 7, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 8

Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, tries out a hula hoop with students during recess at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. Mwengea and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Joseph Mwengea, left, a school principal in Kenya, and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, talk to students during a round-table discussion at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. The two were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Student Ryan Broadhead asks a question of Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, during a round table discussion at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. The two were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, talks to students during recess at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. Mwengi and Joseph Mwengea, who is a school principal in Kenya, were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, gives students a quick math lesson during a cultural exchange at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. Mwengi and Joseph Mwengea, who is a school principal in Kenya, were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Students listen to Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, and Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, during a round-table discussion at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. The two were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Children at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel listen as Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, left, and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, answer questions during a round-table discussion on Thursday. The two were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Students Danial Didehvar and Malia Jon listen as Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, answer questions during a round-table discussion at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. The Kenyans were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Joseph Mwengea, a school principal in Kenya, tries out a hula hoop with students during recess at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel on Thursday. Mwengea and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist in Kenya, were part of an educational exchange sponsored by Kenya Keys and Kids in Community Service. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA NIGUEL – Children at Joseph Mwengea's school in rural Kenya might walk 10 miles barefoot each morning to get to crowded classrooms without electricity. Once the school day begins, however, lessons cover familiar topics of English, math and science.

Students at George White Elementary School asked questions of the primary school teacher through a visit organized by nonprofit Kenya Keys. Mwengea and Emmanuel Mwengi, a pharmacist who received scholarships from the group, spent two weeks in Oregon before coming to Southern California. In addition to raising money for education programs in Kenya, the trip aimed to serve as a cultural exchange.

Mwengea and Mwengi got a chance recently to observe classrooms at Laguna Niguel elementary school. The pair then answered questions from fourth- and fifth-grade students about daily life in Kenya.

Though his school is in a remote area, it has about 460 students, Mwengea said. Students learn in English and Swahili, but across the country, each of 42 tribes speaks its own language. The Laguna Niguel students thought they didn't know any Swahili – that is, until they were asked if they'd seen Disney's "Lion King." Then, each of the students realized they knew the phrase "hakuna matata," no worries.

Students were curious about if their peers in Kenya had recess and what they did for fun. Mwengea said since students didn't have electricity, they often made up their own games and dances.

"They usually make their own entertainment," he told students on Thursday.

Most students live between eight and 12 miles away from school. Since walking could take an hour, many of them run, he said.

"Most of the students go barefoot," he said. "You get to wear shoes when you go to high school."

Even students that can afford shoes don't always wear them to school, Mwengi added. He told students he didn't like wearing shoes when he was younger.

"It feels awkward when you put them on for the first time," he said.

Fifth-grader Malia Jon wanted to know what students eat for lunch and how they make it warm without electricity.

"They eat red beans, cooked together with maize, corn," Mwengea said, adding the pot is heated with hot stones over a fire.

Food in Kenya is often simple, Mwengi added.

"We don't have so many options," he said. "The chicken doesn't come from a fridge. You have to chase it around."

Families can afford to eat meat only rarely, Mwengea said.

"That's a very special meal," he said. "You have it once a year."

For both men, the trip was their first time in the U.S. One student asked if they'd ever tried a cheeseburger.

"It's one of my favorite foods now," Mwengea said.

Before their time with the students ended, Mwengea and Mwengi couldn't resist going over a math problem on the white board.

Fourth-grader Danial Didehvar wasn't ready to see the pair go.

"You should be a substitute teacher," he said.

The students will take what they learned about Kenya back to their classmates. For schools in his region, Mwengea said he hoped to bring back concepts such as integrating special education students and providing an academic counselor to prepare high school students for careers and college.

As a social studies teacher, he said he enjoys learning about different parts of the world. In U.S. schools, he was struck by small class sizes, the variety of textbooks and technology like smart boards.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.